Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef in the calm waters of the Coral Sea, the 74 tropical islands of the Whitsundays lie midway up the Queensland coast. A secluded haven of natural wonders, they are Australia's answer to the cruising grounds of the Caribbean. A visit to the Whitsundays - surrounded by natural beauty, dotted with secluded beaches, and friendly towns from which to explore - is a wonderful experience. It’s no wonder that some of the largest ships on World Cruises anchor here, alongside white-sailed yachts and coral-viewing boats! Named by Cook in 1770, the Whitsundays is the largest group of offshore islands in Australia.

Activities to be enjoyed naturally include swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking and interacting with the marine life. But there's also bush walking and visits to fascinating places like Whitehaven Beach and other perfect locations. Home to tens of thousands of species of brilliantly coloured fish, coral and other marine life, the Great Barrier Reef is a spectacular underwater playground and the Whitsundays lie in the very heart of the reef.

With by far the majority of the islands designated national park, they are in their purest natural state for all to enjoy. The region’s sparkling azure seas, coral cays, fringing coral reefs and stunning beaches offer a lifetime's worth of quiet anchorages and empty white-sand beaches fanned by steady breezes virtually every day of the year. The spectacular views and pure escapism will be forever etched in your memory.